How to Get Rid of the Bags Under Your Eyes (Finally!)

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Some people seem to have permanent bags under their eyes, while others just tend to get puffy eyes after a salty meal or a late night. Either way, puffy under-eye bags aren't something you have to live with. Here, a dermatologist explains what causes bags under the eyes, and how to get rid of them.

What Are Under-Eye Bags?

"There are multiple fat pads around the eyes that protect them," explains cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman, MD. "When we have the appearance of a bag, it's just a herniated fat pad that's moved beyond where it's supposed to be. Or, the overlying skin has thinned, making it more visible underneath. It's just a matter of facial anatomy and changes that occur over time. It's very genetic — some people have thicker skin," Dr. Engelman explains.

How Can You Get Rid of Bags Under Your Eyes?

1. Thicken the skin with retinol eye creams. "We can do things like try to build the overlying skin and thicken the dermis there, so we would use a retinol-containing product to help stimulate collagen and elastin to thicken the skin, so that it pushes down on that fat pad and makes it less obvious," Dr. Engelman says.

2. Release excess fluid with caffeine. "Caffeine-containing products are effective because they cause vasoconstriction and push some of the fluid out. That's why if we drink too much or don't sleep enough or have salt, we can see that under-eye bags are worse at times. That's true because they fill a bit more with fluid."

3. Apply light pressure with something cold. "The old trick of putting the spoon in the freezer and then putting it on your under-eye bags? That works, transiently. That fat pad is not gonna go away, but it'll make the appearance of it better."